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Original poster

E.R. - best episode?

109 replies

FenellaMaxwell · 14/11/2019 15:40

With ER now being all up on Demand4, I’m rewatching it and it’s sooooo good! The episode everyone always talks about is the one where Doug Ross saves the trapped boy in the storm drain, but I have a real soft spot for the episode where Carter takes over and moves the ER to the cafeteria when there’s a chemical spill. Oh, and the Christmas one where Bob the desk clerk performs open heart surgery.

Any other fans?

OP posts:
MoreSchnitzelPlease · 14/11/2019 15:57

Me!

The episode where Lucy Knight and Carter get stabbed is my pick. The tension is unreal leading up to Carter finally finding Lucy injured on the floor.

Celebelly · 14/11/2019 16:00

Romano's arm and the helicopter!

Liverpool52 · 14/11/2019 16:01

The one where two children with small pox are brought into the ER. Brilliant in hiw it's dealt with by the staff and Carter and Abby finally kissed.

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Mrsjayy · 14/11/2019 16:02

When Gregg Pratt died it was horrific and I might have criedfor hours

Mrsjayy · 14/11/2019 16:03

Oh god Romano and the arm Shock

LoseLooseLucy · 14/11/2019 16:05

When Benton tells them to page Dr Gant whilst they are working on the man who jumped in front of the train...

I was about 14 when it was on and it stuck with me for a while.

EddieVeddersfoxymop · 14/11/2019 16:06

When Dr Greene dies. Oh, and I loved the episodes where they went to the Congo too. I'm fully medically qualified from watching every episode! Might change my name to Dr eddieveddersfoxymop Grin

Thirtyrock39 · 14/11/2019 16:11

Most upsetting I think is 'loves labour lost' in series one with dr green and the woman in labour (don't watch if pregnant ) or the one where Susan's sister takes the baby back
I love the relationship between Benton and carter so any episodes where they take centre stage are really good
I also really enjoyed the one where Benton went to work in the Deep South

linentowel · 14/11/2019 16:14

Greg Pratt and Mark dying.

Also the when Abby leaves and she takes her name plate off her locker.

Crinklesmile · 14/11/2019 16:19

Im rewatching it all too- I love the later episodes with Stanley Tucci
I love all the Abby/Luka ones too.
Marks death just kills me, he is my favoirite

GrumpySausage · 14/11/2019 16:21

I loved ER when younger but came into it late, maybe season 5/6? I always loved it.

Just found all the seasons on more 4 and have found my perfect watch for DD's nap time.

The episode that always stuck in my mind was Romano and the helicopter. I watched it with my mum and we were both just ShockShockShock

ememem84 · 14/11/2019 16:21

Rewatching too. I was too young apparently the first time it was on.

Romano vs the helicopter. Awesome scene. I showed it to dh the other day (found the scene on YouTube). Cumuppance at its best.

OhioOhioOhio · 14/11/2019 16:22

All of them. Omg. It was spectacular.

36degrees · 14/11/2019 16:31

Ewan McGregor in the convenience store.

Graphista · 14/11/2019 16:53

Planning to rewatch myself I'm currently catching up on other stuff.

Not necessarily "best" episode as I have huge affection for several already mentioned but I also love the ones where Benton is humbled and more humanised, I also LOVED Glenne Headly, so saddened by her death which occurred while she was filming another good show.

So...

The episode when Benton is working in paediatric surgery and his arrogance gets the better of him and he uses a finger to remove something from a baby he's operating on's organ and it causes major problems (sorry I can't remember exact details) I just felt it was good for him to realise he wasn't always right.

The ones dealing with his son having health issues due iirc to his being born prematurely. Hearing loss was one and again iirc he was initially resistant to learning to sign to communicate with his child but I think he came around?

Again good to see that character presented with situations that he can swagger his way out of.

iklboo · 14/11/2019 16:59

The episode with Ray Liotta. Just beautiful.

MintyMabel · 14/11/2019 17:06

The one with Ewan McGregor.

But I do love the storm drain one too.

RatinaMaze · 14/11/2019 17:15

There are so many. I'd need at least a top 25 (in no particular order, of course).

I'm rewatching and am in the middle of season 7 now. One episode I had largely forgotten but has totally shook me to the core on the rewatch was the one where Benton's nephew dies. The way it plays out with Malucci gleefully dealing with the trauma which gets worse and worse, revelling in the black humour and referring to the patient as just another gang member who got what he deserved, then Cleo wandering in and out of the trauma room without looking at the patient but then seeing Jackie in the waiting room. Then Cleo running to grab Benton from surgery upstairs and the way we see his reaction through a closed door. His attempts to save his nephew, blood and gore everywhere and tears running down his face while everyone else tried to persuade him that it is futile and then the way we see him utterly broken and covered in blood make his way to the waiting room and we hear Jackie's howl of utter anguish - we don;t see her, the camera is still on Benton and he hasn't even said a word to her yet but she knows. Then we finally see her as she collapses into his arms and her son's blood stains her white coat. Then later, Benton lays out Malucci for what he overheard when he entered the trauma room.

This is the sort of powerful episode that ER did so well. I sobbed for 30 minutes after watching that last night. It also showcases one of ER's unique strengths - the quality of the minor, recurring and supporting cast.

JanMeyer · 14/11/2019 17:22

The ones dealing with his son having health issues due iirc to his being born prematurely. Hearing loss was one and again iirc he was initially resistant to learning to sign to communicate with his child but I think he came around?

Not so much a favourite episode as a favourite scene, but I loved the moment where Reece was at the hospital (it was after his mother died I think) and whilst Benton is holding him Romano signs "take care of your dad" to Reece. I liked the moment even more because Benton doesn't see it, it's like Romano can only have a nice humanising moment when no-one else knows about it. Plus I don't think we ever got to know why Romano knew how to sign.
Seeing Benton learn how to sign was cool though, fun fact, Marlee Matlin played the part of his sign language instructor.

I'm not sure I have a favourite episode, that might not be the right word to use, more like a list of which episodes make me cry the most. Raul dying in season 2 always stuck with me, and Shep's reaction to that.

I loved all the episodes Lucy was in, except her last one of course. I always skip that one. It was great when she was doing her psych rotation and was counselling that boy Seth. She was the only person to talk to him and ask him how he felt rather than just suggesting another medication.

Original poster
FenellaMaxwell · 14/11/2019 17:27

@EddieVeddersfoxymop funny you should say that - I work for the NHS now, in a non-clinical role and often my medical colleagues are impressed by my understanding of medical terms and procedures. They are less impressed when they hear it’s from binge watching ER! Grin

OP posts:
RatinaMaze · 14/11/2019 17:29

Also

Gant's final episode
Love's Labour's Lost
Kerry's miscarriage
Pratt's death
The two parter with Cater and Lucy's attack
Small pox
The episode in the Congo which shows what happened to Luca - the screams of the geologist being dragged off to be executed have stayed with me ever since that episode was shown.
Lots of pregnant women and "beet soup"
The live episode
Chloe giving birth to little Susie
Carter performing surgery on Benton
Mark letting a man die in the elevator after he had threatened Elizabeth
Mark being told his daughter has taken an overdose and is in the er - he expects to find Rachel but...
The episodes centring around Mark looking after his elderly parents and their respective deaths - as a teenager I found them boring but more recently they have affected me massively.
Carter in rehab and his return to work

I need to stop now Grin

Willow2017 · 14/11/2019 17:30

When Mark died. I was in pieces for ages, real end of the world sobbing. it was so beautifully done, I loved that guy (yes I know he was a character etc etc). I couldnt listen to that bloody song for years and years without crying! OMG I am tearing up!

Still turn it off if I am feeling a bit down and it comes on the radio.

Lots of others but that still sticks out after decades.

ALemonyPea · 14/11/2019 17:32

Didn't realise it was on demand, will be boring DH with it now.

The episode that sticks with me is the one where Mark dies. Just wasn't the same without him.

Original poster
FenellaMaxwell · 14/11/2019 17:35

It’s funny because the first time I watched it was when it originally aired and I was around 11 when it started, then 26 when it finished. I rewatched it all 2 years ago when DS was a non-sleeping newborn and watching it again now that I’m a mother I find myself reacting so differently to the whole thing. I felt physically sick during Love’s Labours Lost, and I had to fast forward Reese’s birth when he wasn’t breathing. Also I remember not liking Corday very much then whereas I LOVE her now. And really liking Mark whereas now I think he’s actually a bit of a twat. As is Carol.

OP posts:
Gwynfluff · 14/11/2019 18:55

Started watching when it was released While at Uni and spent the next 15 years catching every season through all the baby hoods of my kids! Most loyal I’ve ever been to a programme and unbelievable we waited to watch one season a year! Always loved Kerry. The Doug/carol stuff was electric though and John Stamos character nearer the end was the only other male I hankered for.

I was very shocked when 24 hours in A+E came out and realised that there was no dramatic music in the ER and no-one ran around with the beds! In fact it’s completely quiet and orderly.